A writer friend of mine once said that electronic music was the hardest
type of music to review and critique because of its diversity and
complexity. Further, that the sub-genre of ambient and abstract music has
to be even more difficult given the subtle, translucent, wispy nature of
such compositions.

Mara's Torment aka Ric MacLean makes my task even more difficult with a
very intricate and poignant examination of human emotion on his release
Across for Show.

Across for Show opens tentatively, like a small child learning to walk,
building very gradually into complexity, maturing...Each note, a well
calculated emotional response that seduces the listener into a lower and
lower hypnotic state.

The groundwork has been laid for a change.... a realization....
Once "Where it Begins" opens we are shocked by the sudden rythymic force
exhibited by the percussion and the intricate melody that vamps overhead
creating a down beat masterpiece.

Across for Show glides from track to track seemlessely. Vocals are absent,
but this is beneficial to the construction fo this album, as they would
only serve to disturb the fragile sense of discovery, despair, and
well....torment.